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Top 11 Things to Do Tameside

Top 11 Things to Do Tameside

| Last Updated: December 2023

We’ve been on the hunt for the ultimate list of must-dos, and guess what? We’ve struck gold! Tameside in Manchester is brimming with hidden gems and adventures waiting to be discovered. 

So, grab your calendars, because we’re diving into the best things to do and places to visit in Tameside. Trust us, by the end of this list, you’ll be itching to experience them all! 

See the peak of Tameside at the Peak District

Directions

One of the shiniest gems in Tameside is the Peak District which is every nature lover’s dream place to visit! 

This is the UK’s OG national park which dates back to 1951, at the southern parts of the Pennines. In a sense, the park has a bit of a ‘split personality. 

Okay, hear us out. The southern bit is all about that limestone charm, dubbed the White Peak. But then, wrapping around the top like a dramatic cloak, you’ve got the moody millstone grit moors known as the Dark Peak.

Now, if you’re in Tameside and itching for an adventure, the Trans Pennine Trail is your ticket into the heart of the Dark Peak. This isn’t just any trail; it’s like the highway of hiking, stretching from Southport in Merseyside all the way to Hornsea in Yorkshire.

Pro Tip:
Before embarking on the Trans Pennine Trail, especially if you’re planning to cover a significant portion of it, make sure to check out the official Trans Pennine Trail website. 

They offer detailed maps, current trail conditions, and updates on any potential diversions or closures. 

Walk through the past of Tameside at the Portland Basin Museum

Address: Portland Pl, Ashton-under-Lyne OL7 0QA, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +441613425480

Website: https://www.tameside.gov.uk/museumsgalleries/portland

Opening Hours: Monday closed; Tuesday to Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM

No, this isn’t Portland Oregon in the States— far from it. Taking all the way eastward of Tameside is a modest museum called the Portland Basin Museum and it has relics from the past that would give you a clearer picture of the place when visiting. 

Now, if you’ve ever wondered about Tameside’s industrial heyday, this is your time machine. Dive deep into the days of coal mines, cotton mills, and farm life. And the machines? They’ve got a lineup that’s like the Avengers of the industrial era.

But here’s where it gets even cooler: they’ve recreated a 1920s street. It’s like stepping onto a movie set, minus the cameras and actors. You can almost hear the flapper dresses swishing!

Got little ones with you when vacationing at Tameside? Not a bit of a problem, actually! There’s a Nuts and Bolts play area that’s basically toddler nirvana. And for us grown-ups? The Bridge View Cafe is the perfect spot to sip some tea and daydream while gazing at the Tame Aqueduct.

Pro Tip:
Hop aboard a narrowboat with the Tameside Canal Boat Trust. It’s like cruising through history, one ripple at a time.

Take a walk at Stamford Park

Address: 235 Stamford St, Stalybridge SK15 1QZ, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +441613382394

Website: https://www.tameside.gov.uk/stamfordpark

Opening Hours: Daily 11 AM to 5 PM

Are you looking for a great open area filled with trees, grass, and a playpark for you and your family to just rest and have a fun picnic? 

Enter Stamford Park in Stalybridge. This wasn’t just any park; it was a community’s dream come true, all thanks to some epic fundraising.

Flashback to 1873, and bam! The park’s gates swing open on what used to be a swanky deer park for the Earl of Stamford— talk about an upgrade!

Now, if you’re a plant lover, Stamford Park is like your personal botanical runway. If you think during the winter the park isn’t as fun to visit as it is during the summer, then think again! 

The holiday season is one of the best times to go to Stamford for winter season escapade! Not to mention, their playground is safe and has great sets of children areas so you can take the kids with you. 

Pro Tip:
The Dingle, a lush wooded valley, is a great place to check out exotic Mancunian birds. Bird enthusiasts, keep those binoculars ready!

Appreciate the cobblestoned structure of the St Michael and All Angels’ Church

Address: Mottram in Longdendale, Hyde SK14 6JL, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +441457762268

Website: https://www.mottramparish.org.uk/

Opening Hours: 24/7

History buffs and architecture aficionados, gather ’round! Let’s take you on a little trip to the eastern fringes of Greater Manchester. 

Yep, I’m talking about St Michael and All Angels’. But here’s the kicker: this isn’t its first rodeo. The OG church on this spot dates back to the early 13th century. 

The church is perched on a hill, and this church isn’t just spiritually uplifting as it also offers views that’ll have your Instagram followers green with envy. Now, it did get a bit of a facelift in the mid-1850s, but oh boy, the ancient treasures inside!

First off, there’s this Norman font that’s been around since the church’s debut. It’s like the OG water cooler where folks from centuries ago might’ve gossiped. Then, in the Staveleigh Chapel, brace yourself for some 15th-century drama with two stunning recumbent effigies.

Pro Tip:
When you step inside, don’t miss the intricately painted reredos – it’s a visual journey from the Ten Commandments to Moses and Aaron. 

And for a touch of 18th-century elegance, look up! The brass chandelier from 1755 isn’t just lighting; it’s the Beyoncé of church illuminations. Make sure to snap a pic!

Explore the grandness of the Fairfield Moravian Settlement

Address: 28 Fairfield Square, Droylsden, Manchester M43 6AE, United Kingdom

Contact Details:

Website: http://www.moravian.org.uk

Opening Hours: 24/7

You know that stretch in Droylsden you’ve probably driven by a hundred times? Behind those unsuspecting terraced houses lies a hidden gem: the Fairfield Moravian Settlement. It’s like stepping into a time machine!

Picture this: back in 1785, a bunch of Protestant refugees, escaping from what we now know as the Czech Republic, decided to set up their own little world. 

And when we say ‘own world’, we definitely mean it. They had everything from their own council to a fire service, schools, and even a hospital. 

Today, this charming village around the cobbled Fairfield Square is like a living postcard. And guess what? It’s such a vibe that even the BBC couldn’t resist; they filmed parts of Peaky Blinders here!

Pro Tip:
Keep an eye out for Nos. 15, 28, and 30 – they’re not just pretty faces; they’re Grade II* listed buildings. And the cherry on top? The church, standing tall since 1785, got a fab makeover in 1908.

Feel the outdoor breeze at the Werneth Low Country Park

Address: Higham Ln, Hyde SK14 5LR, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +441613686667

Website: http://www.tameside.gov.uk/Countryside/Welcome-to-Werneth-Low-Country-Park

Opening Hours: Sundays only 10 Am to 3:30 PM

Not only is Werneth Low Country Park a wonderful place to visit, but it also has a rich history and strong importance to Tameside’s post-war era. 

The community came together to buy 200 acres on the slopes of Werneth Low Hill. Why? To remember the 710 brave souls from the area who never came back from the war. Fast forward to 1921, and voila! A memorial is unveiled, offering views that’ll take your breath away.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. By the 1980s, the land around it, which used to be a farm, got a glow-up and became a country park. 

The farm house is straight out of a storybook, dating back to the 17th century. Today, it’s the park’s visitor centre, surrounded by perfect picnic spots, an orchard, and herb gardens that’ll make you want to start cooking.

Pro Tip:
For the adventurers among us, Werneth Low is crisscrossed by the Tameside Trail and the legendary Trans Pennine Trail. And if you’ve ever dreamt of being Mary Poppins, this is your spot— the hillside is perfect for kite-flying.

Address: Trinity St, Stalybridge SK15 2BN, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +441613422760

Website: N/A 

Opening Hours: Only on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 9 AM to 1 PM

This Tameside town has a little secret, and it’s all thanks to a big-hearted mill-owner and his equally generous wife, Beatrice Astley. 

Back in 1901, instead of splurging on, say, a new top hat or a fancy carriage, they decided to give the town a swanky Jacobethan lecture theatre. Talk about setting the bar high for birthday gifts!

This theatre later became home to the Astley Cheetham Art Collection, bequeathed in 1932. And let me tell you, it’s like the Avengers of art collections. 

One of the showstoppers in our opinion is a piece by the Master of the Straus Madonna, a Florentine painter who was all the rage around the 15th century. Think of him as the Beyoncé of his time.

Pro Tip:
And if you’re into art heavyweights, they’ve got pieces from legends like George Frederic Watts, J. M. W. Turner, and George Price Boyce.

Go speechless with Park Bridge’s scenic views 

Directions

Park Bridge is another amazing natural reserve that you ought to visit, and this one has a special place in our hearts because of the amazing view of the whole city of Manchester it offers when visiting here. 

Now, here’s the juicy bit: during its heyday, this place wasn’t just churning out any old iron. Oh no, they were crafting rivets for some of the world’s most iconic structures. Ever heard of the Eiffel Tower? The Titanic? Yep, Park Bridge had a hand (or rivet) in those!

Fast forward to today, and while the ironworks called it quits in 1963, the place didn’t lose its charm. The remnants of the factory, intertwined with lush greenery, have become a go-to spot for picnics and daydreams.

Pro Tip:
Before you head out to Park Bridge, check the local event calendar. The heritage centre occasionally hosts special guided tours, diving deep into the ironworks’ history. 

Feel like Rapunzel at the Hartshead Pike tower

Directions

If you’re somehow (weirdly) looking for a tower where you want to feel like you’re in a century-old era, then the Hartshead Pike tower is the best place to be. The field around the structure also has breathtaking views which is a huge plus for us!

If you can’t imagine what that’s like, then picture this: a hill that’s not just any hill, but a 267-metre tall vantage point that lords over places like Ashton-under-Lyne and Oldham. 

On a good day, you can even catch glimpses of Manchester’s skyline. It’s like nature’s own penthouse view!

Now, here’s a fun tidbit: this hilltop wasn’t just for Sunday strolls. Rumour has it, it was a signalling station, possibly dating back to Roman times. Talk about ancient WhatsApp! 

The tower you see today? It’s a neo-Gothic beauty from 1863, but it’s got bits from an older 18th-century structure. There’s even a stone that brags about its 1751 reconstruction.

Pro Tip:
If you’re planning a trip to Hartshead Pike, aim for a weekday morning or late afternoon to avoid the weekend crowds. And while the path is generally well-maintained, it can get slippery after rain, so sturdy footwear is a must. 

Address: 33 Acres Ln, Stalybridge SK15 2JR, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +441613382538

Website: http://www.tameside.gov.uk/parks/cheethampark/

Opening Hours: Daily 8 AM to 6 PM

Cheetham hits two birds in one stone when visiting here because you can go to either its beautiful national park or its— amazing art gallery (or honestly, just go to both)! 

Now, just when you think you’ve had your fill of nature, take a short hop from the bustling shops of Stalybridge, and you’ll stumble upon Cheetham Park. It’s like finding an oasis in your backyard. 

Gifted by the forward-thinking John Frederick Cheetham in 1932, this guy was all about the environment before it was cool. He made sure a chunk of this park became one of the country’s first nature reserves.

While you’re there, follow the wooden sculpture trail. It’s like a treasure hunt, but with woodland critters. And if you’re a history buff, the ‘Time Line’ is your ticket to a trip down Stalybridge’s industrial memory lane. 

Oh, and for those with green thumbs, the park’s been showing off with a new herbaceous border and a community orchard. Fresh cherries, anyone?

Pro Tip:
If you’re visiting Cheetham Park, try to catch one of the local community events or workshops they occasionally host. 

From gardening to bird-watching, there’s always something happening. And for the best Instagram shots, visit during golden hour; the park’s sculptures and plants glow beautifully. 

Cruise through the Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Directions 

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal, covering a good five miles of its entire 20-mile charm, right in Tameside’s embrace. This canal isn’t just a waterway; it’s a historic ribbon that’s been around since 1811, weaving from the University of Huddersfield all the way to Ashton-under-Lyne.

As you wander, it’s not just about the water’s flow. You’ll be transitioning from one lush spot to another— the tranquillity of Cheetham Park, the avian wonders of Eastwood RSPB, and the untouched beauty of Stalybridge Country Park.

Now, here’s a fun shift: as you edge towards the Pennine moors beyond Stalybridge, notice how the buildings take on a rich, dark Pennine sandstone hue. Nature’s own aesthetic touch.

And don’t rush! There’s the majestic silhouette of the 15th-century Stayley Hall to catch your eye. And Mossley? Think of it as a living vintage postcard, resonating with tales of its milling past.

Pro Tip:
If you’re planning to explore the Huddersfield Narrow Canal in Tameside, consider visiting during the annual canal festivals or boat rallies. 

These events often feature historic narrowboats, local crafts, live music, and traditional canal activities. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and history while enjoying the scenic beauty of the canal.
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